Courchevel

Bubble Lift in 1850What makes Courchevel different is that it is not one single resort, but spread across four different altitudes; Courchevel Le Praz 1300, Courchevel 1550, Courchevel 1650 and Courchevel 1850; each offering a very different image and village feel.

Courchevel 1850 is where the rich and famous come 'to see and be seen'. The secluded Jardin Alpin sector is where all the spectacular chalets and hotels are located, however there is still reasonably priced accommodation in the centre of town. There are gentle beginner slopes and a vast array of intermediate, advanced and off-piste couloirs to keep even the most accomplished skiers busy. ... see "Courchevel - The Local Area" for more

Courchevel's nightlife is almost as exhausting as its mountain pursuits! With a wide range of restaurants, bars and cafes to keep you well fed and watered there is also a plentiful array of opportunities for a bit of après or late-night venues for a spot of clubbing. With four levels of the resort to choose from, each with its own ambience, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice! The countless terraces ensure that you can always find a sunny spot to relax in... ... see "Courchevel Food & Drink" for more

La Jairaz Sawmill in 1902The resort now known as Courchevel was, prior to its development as a ski resort, a collection of small hamlets and farmers’ fields. We know that in 1032 the wider area of the Savoy fell under the rule of the Holy Roman Empire and from the 12th Century concentrated on expanding its territory, becoming known as ‘Gatekeeper of the Alps’. There is evidence of human settlements dating even further back; in Courchevel 1300 / Le Praz a grave was found containing two human skeletons and jewellery dating back to the Iron Age (750 BC).

Not much more is documented until the turn of the 20th Century when Courchevel was little more than a combination of high mountain pastures and dense forest. There were no towns and barely any villages to speak of, with most locals being farmers or working in the mill. One of the only significant buildings in the area at the time was the Town Hall in the village of Saint Bon, built in 1870. The water-driven sawmill in La Jairaz dates from at least 1902 and was built by order of the Count-Archbishops of Tarentaise. ... see "Courchevel: From Past to Present" for more